[Federal Register: October 9, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 195)]
[Notices]
[Page 51459]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09oc01-125]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the American
Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects in the possession of the American Museum of Natural
History, New York, NY.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the American
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak
Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the
Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona.
In 1902, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals
were collected by Dr. Ales Hrdlicka from the vicinity of Sacaton, Pinal
County, AZ, while Dr. Hrdlicka was a member of the Hyde Expedition,
sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. No known
individuals were identified. The two associated funerary objects are
fragments of cloth.
These individuals have been identified as Native American based on
the American Museum of Natural History's catalog entry describing the
remains as ``Pima women.'' Geographic location is consistent with the
postcontact territory of the Pima, who are represented by the Ak Chin
Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona;
Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation,
Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt
River Reservation, Arizona. The presence of perishable materials with
one and desiccated soft tissue with the other suggests a postcontact
date for these burials.
In 1902, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were collected by Dr. Ales Hrdlicka from a cave in the vicinity of
Sacaton, Pinal County, AZ, while Dr. Hrdlicka was a member of the Hyde
Expedition, sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. No
known individual was identified. The two associated funerary objects
are a pair of metal spurs.
This individual has been identified as Native American based on the
American Museum of Natural History's catalog entry describing the
remains as a ``Pima ... medicine man.'' Geographic location is
consistent with the postcontact territory of the Pima, who are
represented by the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin)
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona. The presence of metal
spurs and desiccated soft tissue suggests a postcontact date for this
burial.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the American
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of a minimum of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials
of the American Museum of Natural History have also determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the four objects listed above are
reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human
remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or
ceremony. Lastly, officials of the American Museum of Natural History
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced
between these Native American human remains and associated funerary
objects and the Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin)
Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila
River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Ak Chin Indian
Community of the Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila
River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona;
and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River
Reservation, Arizona. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains
and associated funerary objects should contact Martha Graham, Director
of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park
West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5846,
before November 8, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects to the Ak Chin Indian Community of the
Maricopa (Ak Chin) Indian Reservation, Arizona; Gila River Indian
Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; and Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 15, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-25150 Filed 10-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S